Starbucks Olive Oil Coffee Is Not Bulletproof Coffee! Nutritionists Do Not Recommend Ordinary People Drinking Extra Virgin Olive Oil Directly

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Starbucks' Olive Oil Coffee: A Revolutionary Concept

In February this year, Howard created a product that the entire coffee industry had never imagined before stepping down as Starbucks' interim CEO—olive oil coffee. He stated that this product would "change the coffee industry" and become "a very profitable new member of the company."

When Howard was interviewed, he mentioned that the product's inspiration came from Sicilians in Italy who drink a tablespoon of olive oil directly in the morning or before bedtime. They believe this can help lower blood lipids and blood sugar, and has certain benefits for the elderly, people with high blood pressure, and heart disease patients. Some health-conscious individuals also do this, believing it can help with better sleep.

Regarding the practice of adding olive oil to coffee, Starbucks made no health claims about this product. However, they hope customers will be attracted by the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil.

Market Response and Consumer Feedback

However, Howard understood that such an innovative product would not be easily accepted by global consumers upon launch. He decided to first launch it in Italy to see how Italian consumers would respond before deciding to expand to markets in the United States, United Kingdom, Middle East, and Japan. He believed that when Starbucks first opened in Italy, it wasn't well-received either, but now it has established a foothold there, so he was very confident that Italian consumers would accept this product. During the interview, he stated that if Italians didn't accept it, he wouldn't return to Seattle, showing Howard's full confidence in this new product.

When this product was first launched in Italy, it did generate considerable buzz in the first three days. After all, such a niche coffee preparation method was being widely promoted by a chain brand, and consumers were curious about such a product.

However, the product's response was lukewarm—most people found it too greasy, though a small number of people did like this type of product. Although the overall performance in the Italian market was average, Starbucks remained very determined, introducing the product to the US market one month after launch. Within three days of entering the US market, many consumers reported that when the olive oil encountered cold temperatures, it would congeal and look like lard, and it would stick to the mouth, leaving a greasy feeling for quite a long time, making the post-tasting experience very unpleasant.

Health Concerns and Professional Opinions

Subsequently, more and more consumers reported on various consumer platforms that they experienced stomach pain and diarrhea after drinking this product, with some cases even severe enough to require hospital visits...

When olive oil coffee first landed in the US market, some netizens had already posted warnings advising people with sensitive stomachs not to try it. But people... the more you advise them, the more they want to do the opposite, insisting on trying it...

Regarding the practice of olive oil + coffee, registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade stated that this is not a reasonable combination. The caffeine and acidity in coffee already irritate the gastrointestinal tract, while olive oil acts as an intestinal lubricant... When the two are combined, they can easily cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain and diarrhea. A 16oz olive oil coffee contains up to 34 grams of fat, which is more than many people consume in an entire meal. Such an oily food is also very unfriendly to patients with stomach conditions.

Because olive oil is a liquid, it reaches the digestive tract faster than high-fat foods after consumption. Without carbohydrates and fiber to counteract this effect, it can easily catch people off guard. Generally, consumers who choose to drink olive oil coffee are just buying it on the go and rarely pair it with other meals, which is why so many consumers reported experiencing diarrhea after drinking olive oil coffee. The dietitian also mentioned that this combination is not suitable for consumption by the general population. Typically, drinking olive oil directly is done under the judgment and guidance of professionals. Just because olive oil is one of the world's recognized healthiest oils and contains many nutrients beneficial to the human body, we cannot ignore its impact on the gastrointestinal tract.

Regarding the increasing feedback from consumers after trying olive oil coffee, Starbucks has not yet responded.

Image source: Internet

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